Morning Clouds

Chapter 4

Dusk Sky yawned and settled herself more comfortably on the branch overhanging the camp, watching the activity.

She knew that her mother, Sparrow Fur, would want her to play with the other kits, or listen to the elders' tales, or sit and talk and at least be among her Clanmates. Her concern was touching, but the truth was that not many cats cared about Dusk Sky.

They were nice to her, of course, and never said that they didn't like her. But she knew it was true. They avoided her and whispered about her, what they thought she'd never hear.

But she did.

The only cat who seemed to pay attention to her other than Sparrow Fur, her father and littermates, and Skystar, was the medicine cat, Acorn Fur. Yet she always seemed so jumpy and nervous around Dusk Sky, and very worrisome.

The Clan thought Acorn Fur had had a sign from StarClan about her. That's why she was so quiet and shy and isolated, and it fueled the rumors and gossip surrounding her.

But Dusk Sky didn't want to be stared at, so she hid and watched.

Simple as that.

...Right?

//-//

Splashing Creek was bored.

Stuck in camp watching Dawn Mist, pregnant with her second litter while Dappled Pelt tended to the crushed herbs, trying to see if there was anything to salvage. But Dawn Mist was completely fine. Even Moss Tail, her mate, wasn't too worried. And that was saying something!

But Dappled Pelt wouldn't listen.

"He's not that worried because their last litter was with a group of cats where everyone but the leaders were starving and working their tails off, with no sort of medicine cat, and it still went well. They were incredibly lucky, but still... I need you to keep watch."

The praise sparked pride in her, but it felt empty, like a kit being asked to guard an elderly cat who was obviously not in danger instead of going off to fight a fox.

And all the other apprentices were out of camp with their mentors, so there was no one to talk to.

In fact, most of RiverClan was out of camp.

Only the kits and their mothers, and Riverstar and Shattered Ice, on guard, were left.

Splashing Creek started, noticing the leader's amber gaze on her. I wonder why. Have I done something wrong? But Riverstar looked away, and she shrugged it off. Probably nothing. Not like I have more important things to worry about.

//-//

Something was different, Echo could tell.

Slash's generals, the ones who led the groups of cats who left to hunt every day, had reported to him giddily for the last couple days. Today, Splinter, Snake, and Ember had left on a special patrol of their own.

Swallow, her mother, was a general as well. But no matter how much she and Flame badgered her, Swallow refused to tell her kits what was going on.

So Echo, unbeknownst to anyone else, took up spying and eavesdropping to try and find out.

Still, all she could discern was that they were scenting a certain she-cat from one of the groups they despised.

Why this she-cat was important, Echo couldn't figure out. She didn't know what they wanted with her, either.

Or even, who she was.

But somehow, she was important.

And something in her gut told Echo that it wouldn't end well.

Change was coming. And Echo and her littermates would be in the very middle of it.